Date Presented 4/19/2018 A scoping review of 70 articles explored the contribution of occupational therapists in palliative care. The analysis resulted in five themes and three major findings focusing on promoting valued occupations, intervening from diagnosis to death, and forming a model to guide practice and research. Primary Author and Speaker: Hsin-Hsiu Yeh Additional Authors and Speakers: Mary Ann McColl, Lin-Jye Huang

Date Presented 4/9/2016 A scoping review was used to determine how research literature describes mental health issues and needs among children growing up in military families. The 220 studies included identified particular mental health vulnerabilities that are important for occupational therapists to note. Primary Author and Speaker: Heidi Cramm Contributing Authors: Alice Aiken, Mary Ann McColl

OBJECTIVE. We reviewed the evidence regarding the effectiveness of community occupational therapy interventions, delivered alone or within a multidisciplinary team, in improving occupational outcomes for adults with selected chronic diseases. METHOD. We completed a scoping review of randomized controlled trials published from 1988 through 2008. Studies included participants with heart disease, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or diabetes. RESULTS. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies found significant differences between intervention and control groups for at least one outcome of function in activities of daily living, functional self-efficacy, social or work function, psychological health, general health, or quality of life. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the impact of intervention on physical function and health. CONCLUSION. Occupational therapy can improve occupational outcomes in adults with chronic diseases. Using and building on this evidence, occupational therapists can continue to promote their role in helping to meet this population's needs.

OBJECTIVE. In this paper, I propose a population-level analysis of disability to raise issues of access and equity in terms of use of health services. METHOD. The study was a cross-sectional analysis of the National Population Health Survey (Statistics Canada, 1998–1999). The sample consisted of 10,898 adults between 20 and 64 years of age. FINDINGS. The study showed that adults with disabilities used significantly more of all types of health professionals and health services than nondisabled adults. Disability was a significant determinant of all types of health service use, representing a two- to threefold increase in risk of seeing health professionals. Although poor health explained a large proportion of variance attributable to use of medical and nursing services, it did not explain the use of other allied health services. The results are interpreted in terms of structural barriers to access to health services. The findings also remind us of the potential role for occupational therapists as advocates within the health care system for persons with disabilities.